ASEAN Under-23 Cup: Harimau Muda Target Semis
PETALING JAYA, June 25 (Bernama) -- The National Under-23 football squad are targeting to advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Cup tournament to be held in Jakarta, from July 15 to 29.
Head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain said that to realise this ambition, the Harimau Muda squad are required to gain three full points in each match of the Group A competition against the Philippines on July 15, followed by Brunei (July 18), before closing the group stage against Indonesia (July 21).
"For the current situation, we are more focused on game by game, especially starting with the crucial match against the Philippines. After that, we face Brunei and the toughest challenge will be up against hosts Indonesia.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Barnama
Aaliyah Leads Malaysian Team To 2025 Asian Championships In Bangkok
KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) — Fresh from winning three gold medals at the 2025 University World Championships in New Zealand, national waterskiing ace Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah will lead a team of five athletes to the 2025 IWWF Asian Waterski & Wakesports Championships at Bangkok, from June 26-29. The Malaysian Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (MWWF) in a statement said that joining Aaliyah are Syahir Nasir in the Open Men's Slalom event; Aiden Yoong Hanifah and Adam Yoong Hanifah in Slalom, Tricks, and Jump; and Aydan Noah Saisi in the Under-14 Wakeboard event. 'Aaliyah is the favourite in her three events of slalom, tricks and jump as well as in the overall category,' the statement said.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Cheng Hoe: It's time to get off the bench and scout
KUALA LUMPUR: The absence of a national Under-23 League in the 2025-2026 M-League season should not be used as an excuse for failing to identify or develop quality young players. The cancellation of the MFL Cup — the former U-23 competition — has slashed match-time opportunities for youth players, raising concerns over the depth and condition of Malaysia's U-23 talent pool. But national technical director Tan Cheng Hoe insists the responsibility still lies with coaches to adapt and find solutions. "We can't say it's harder now just because there's no U-23 competition in the M-League," said the former national coach during a press conference at Wisma FAM on Wednesday. "Coaches must learn to adapt. We and the clubs need to find ways to monitor these players. We'll also liaise directly with club coaches to keep tabs on their condition." National youth coach Nafuzi Zain has named 30 players in his training squad for next month's Asean U-23 Championship, including 12 from Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) and eight from Selangor. These players are expected to see action with their feeder teams in the AFL A1 League, while the remaining 10, already with Super League senior squads, are expected to gain top-tier minutes. Cheng Hoe stressed the need for national coaches to be proactive. "Communication with club coaches is vital," he said.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
ASEAN Under-23 Cup: Harimau Muda target semis
THE National Under-23 football squad are targeting to advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Cup tournament to be held in Jakarta, from July 15 to 29. Head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain said that to realise this ambition, the Harimau Muda squad are required to gain three full points in each match of the Group A competition against the Philippines on July 15, followed by Brunei (July 18), before closing the group stage against Indonesia (July 21). 'For the current situation, we are more focused on game by game, especially starting with the crucial match against the Philippines. After that, we face Brunei and the toughest challenge will be up against hosts Indonesia. 'So we are aiming to qualify for the semi-finals but have to get through the group stage first. The semi-finals will give us space to scheme and reach the final,' he told a press conference to announce the list of 30 players picked for Harimau Muda's centralised training, here today. Nineteen of the 26 players who were gathered after the Elite Games match yesterday were called to join the camp which will start on July 1. The players will join 11 existing players in the National Under-23 squad, including Zulhilmi Sharani and Muhammad Faris Danish Mohd Asrul from Johor Darul Ta'zim II (JDT II) as well as Abdul Rahman Daud and Muhammad Alif Izwan Yuslan from Selangor FC. Meanwhile, Nafuzi hopes the players called up, who pack the average experience of Super League action, can help the squad realise that target. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for July 25, while the third-place match and final will take place on July 29.
